Cruelty Free International backing Australian initiatives

08/05/2014

The global move to non-animal testing for cosmetics has spread to Australia, where Cruelty Free International is supporting a Green Party Bill to ban the tests as well as a Labor Party consultation on a further ban proposal. Senator Lee Rhiannon (Green) currently has a Bill before the Senate which seeks to take advantage of the current Opposition majority there. Meanwhile, Senator Tanya Plibersek (Labor) is consulting widely with industry and campaigners on a Labor initiative, following Labor’s pledge during the last election to bring cruel testing of cosmetics to an end. The Government is currently neutral on the issue.

In discussions with both Senators, Cruelty Free International pledged support both politically and at a technical level, and Director of Policy Nick Palmer agreed with Senator Plibersek to provide detailed assistance with European experience with the ban as well as the latest developments in China, where the position continues to evolve. “We are delighted to be working with Senators Plibersek and Rhiannon on their initiatives”, Dr Palmer said. “We know that there is huge support from Australian consumers for progress here and we hope the Government will accept the strong cross-party enthusiasm for change, so that Australia’s cosmetics can at last be cruelty-free.”